The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-15
A BORROWED LITTLE GIRL.
A Queer Story, Showing Curious Fea-
lures Of Metropolitan Life.

lures Of Metropolitan Life.
New York, May 14-In the crowd that
gathered at the Cunard wharf last Satur-
day to see the Etruria off for Liverpool
was tall, emaciated woman in plain,
scanty garb, who held by the hand a bright
little girl about years old. The child was
dressed in marked contrast to her COM
panion. Her clothing was not only gayly
colored but it was made of the richest
stuffs She dubbed over with animal
spirits, hopping about from side to side,
getting into everybody's way, chatting in
cessantly, and altogether giving the old
lady no little trouble to keep her
under control 1t was as if a butterfly
were haInessed 10 beetle and the butterfly
were too gayly dressed to keep company
with solemn, shiny black. A cloak of cost
liest crimson plush fitted the wee figure to
perfection. The pretty pointed hood hang
ing from the shoulders was lined with bro
caded yellow silk, and with one hand the
child held back a corner of the garment,
displaying a lining of the same rich yellow.
Crimson silk stockings clocIed with golden
silk showed between the cloak and the
dainty French kid boots, the piquant little
face was framed in bonnet of the crimson
plush with a cream-colored Tuch of rare old
lace, the finest Mechlin formed cuffs for the
tiny sleeves, gold bracelets tipped with tiny
but brilliant diamonds clasped the slender
wrists, and the palest of yellow kid gloves
completed the costume.
Incongruous! Out of season? Out of
place? Yes, but not without its significance
all of it,
These two did not follow the throng that
crossed the gang-plank and went upstairs to
the deck, biding the signal to say last
good-by and hurry to the shore again.
They stood little apart and watched the
passengers and their friends troop along.
Presently a typical Englishman accom-
panied by his wife and attended by two or
three acquaintances appeared. The child
jumped up and down, clapped her hands
and shouting There he is, nanny would
have darted forward to meet the group had
not the old lady grasped her arm with a
gentle shake and held her back. But the Eng
lishman had seen her, and as he passed he
nodded good naturally to the old lady and
said "GoOd-by, Laura to the child. The
child did not respond but holding mann
my'sn hand looked steadfastly and gravelv
at the passing group. When the Etruria
steamed away they started off home. the
child strutting along the walk a few PAGES
in advance of the old lady, aping in her
gait and actions the demeanor of fashionable
ladies who permit themselves to be seen
abroad when the sun shines and the dust
lies low. She never for an instant forgot
to display the rich lining of her cloak, and
when she crossed the street she held I'D her
dainty skirts with one hand as if she really
feared the mud foot or more below, and
deity showed the lace ruffles on her petit
coat.
had occasion to be at the Cunard wharf
at the sailing of the Etruria. and recognized
i'll the old lady and the child two acquaint-
ances. I went to their home with them II
was q single small room at the very ton of
a lofty building. used, except in the attics.
for commercial purposes They seemed ia
be as had known them before. miserably
poor, and my curiosity was excited by the
little ones extravaganza dress Where had
the child,s clothes come from2 The GRAND.
mother told me.
at was lust like this" she said. "Iaura
and were walking in Madison square one
day late last autumn. and she was frolickino
about as usrlal. when an Enplishman an
preached me and asked me if tRe child was
mine. He seemed so pleasant spoken AND
| respectful that | told him all about our
| selves. Then he said that he and his wifi.
had come to New York to spend the winter
| that they had no children. but were ye,-,
| fond of them. thought thew carried sneh
| sunny air about them. and so ON. and finalI1
| he said that if 7 woilld lend him I ,a,,,..
at odd times during the winter he woule
dress her well and see that sh,
| enioyed herself. | didn't quite understand
| him, and he went on to explain that he haC
| seen us the night before at the opera M
| should be said that the old lady has nan,
a time denied herself q supper and n break,
fast, too. that she might crafty the child,
passionate love for the theatre He bac
| noticed how she applauded. and what ,
keen delight she took in the performance
| and if seemed 70 him that She would
make a very attractive ornament Il
a box We'll. the result was that
| took Laura up to see his wife and n,
| Arrangement was soon made All wintel
long whenever they have gone To Tn,
theatre tbev have taken Tanra with them
and put her i'm a chair RIGHT in front O
their box, where everybody could see her
She was never SO happy before When sh
hands and shout with pleasure. and when /